An assessment of radiation oncology medical physicists’ perspectives on undertaking research

Ebert, Martin A.; Halkett, Georgia; Berg, Melissa; Cutt, David; Davis, Michael; Hegney, Desley; House, Michael J.; Krawiec, Michele; Kearvell, Rachel; Lester, Leanne; Maresse, Sharon; McLoone, P.; McKay, Jan

doi:10.1007/s13246-016-0505-3

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Similar to our work with ROMPs12 and our previous qualitative work11 this study found that RTs enjoyed involvement in research and perceived research participation was beneficial for professional development and participating in best practice. Furthermore, participation in research was linked with job satisfaction.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

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Radiation therapists' perspectives on participating in research

Halkett

Berg

Ebert

et al. 2017

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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IntroductionThe objectives of this research were to: (1) determine the extent of Australian radiation therapists (RTs) research participation; (2) evaluate the impact of research involvement on career perceptions (3) explore which research topics require investigation and (4) identify benefits and barriers to research participation.MethodsThis study used mixed methods to collect qualitative and quantitative data using an online survey from a larger workforce study of RTs and radiation oncology medical physicists. Participants practising in Australia completed questions about their research involvement. Chi‐square tests and logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data and content analysis was used to explore qualitative data.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety‐six RTs answered the research questions. Forty‐six percent had been involved in research. Of these, 91% had been involved in departmental, 28% in national, 14% in international and 29% in informal or self‐directed research studies. Eleven RTs (8%) had received funding as a chief/principal investigator. Involvement in research was associated with a desire to make a career change. However, it also appeared to be associated with greater satisfaction with career progression and staying in the career. Respondents identified a range of potential research topics, benefits of participating in research and barriers which included lack of time, support and cost.ConclusionAlmost half of the RT participants identified that they were participating in research. Our data suggest that continued involvement in research, and opportunities to participate, improve RT job satisfaction. RTs' research activities are likely to be extended through provision of additional time and support.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…11 We have also reported ROMPs' perspectives on undertaking research elsewhere. 12 Ethical approval was obtained from by Curtin University's Human Research Ethics Committee (RD- .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation therapists' perspectives on participating in research

Halkett

Berg

Ebert

et al. 2017

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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“…Only four LMIC were identified amongst the top 25 countries, and none of these were located in the Caribbean or Central America. Other studies have also suggested that medical physicists and radiation therapists are more likely to stay in their profession if they were involved in research [ 26 , 27 ]. For the studied region, retention of staff can be a concern.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiotherapy in the Caribbean: a spotlight on the human resource and equipment challenges among CARICOM nations

Alleyne-Mike¹,

Sylvester²,

Henderson-Suite³

et al. 2020

Hum Resour Health

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Background There is limited data on access to radiotherapy services for CARICOM nations. Methods This was a descriptive mixed-methods observational study which used data collected via survey from staff working in Radiation Oncology in 14 CARICOM countries. Benchmark recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency were compared to existing numbers. The Directory of Radiotherapy Centers, World Bank, and Global Cancer Observatory databases were all accessed to provide information on radiotherapy machines in the region, population statistics, and cancer incidence data respectively. Both population and cancer incidence-based analyses were undertaken to facilitate an exhaustive review. Results Radiotherapy machines were present in only 50% of the countries. Brachytherapy services were performed in only six countries (42.9%). There were a total of 15 external beam machines, 22 radiation oncologists, 22 medical physicists, and 60 radiation therapists across all nations. Utilizing patient-based data, the requirement for machines, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists was 40, 66, 44, and 106, respectively. Only four (28.6%) countries had sufficient radiation oncologists. Five (35.7%) countries had enough medical physicists and radiation therapists. Utilizing population-based data, the necessary number of machines, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists was 105, 186, and 96 respectively. Only one county (7.1%) had an adequate number of radiation oncologists. The number of medical physicists was sufficient in just three countries (21.4%). There were no International Atomic Energy Agency population guidelines for assessing radiation therapists. A lower economic index was associated with a larger patient/population to machine ratio. Consequentially, Haiti had the most significant challenge with staffing and equipment requirements, when compared to all other countries, regardless of the evaluative criteria. Depending on the mode of assessment, Haiti’s individual needs accounted for 37.5% (patient-based) to 59.0% (population-based) of required machines, 40.1% (patient-based) to 59.7% (population-based) of needed radiation oncologists, 38.6% (patient-based) to 58.3% (population-based) of medical physicists, and 42.5% (patient-based) of radiation therapists. Conclusion There are severe deficiencies in radiotherapy services among CARICOM nations. Regardless of the method of comparative analysis, the current allocation of equipment and staffing scarcely meets 50% of regional requirements.

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“…3 Although research has been identified as an expected practise for clinical medical physicists [32], the ability to offer genuine research opportunities remains a key selling point, for centres attempting to recruit medical physicists. Participation in research has been linked to job satisfaction among medical physicists [20,33] and the availability of physicists with research experience has been recognised as necessary for taking full advantage of available technology in the clinic [34].…”

Section: Clinical Physics Staffingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More generally, the TEAP publication requirement encourages accredited departments to maintain researchsupporting environments conducive to the timely completion of TEAP projects, which may also improve the job satisfaction of other physicists in those environments [33]. For isolated or under-staffed departments, this might require reaching out to build collaborations with centres that are well-staffed by physicists with research experience, thereby building a broader research culture which supports the links required for uninhibited mutual auditing and dosimetric intercomparisons.…”

Section: Acpsem Teapmentioning

confidence: 99%